Bruce In Small Doses

While actors like Marlon Brando can make millions of bucks doing cameos or supporting roles in movies, Bruce Willis winds up losing money.

Willis, who got an estimated $15 million for “Die Hard With a Vengeance,” worked for scale – $1,400 a week – when he did small roles last year in such films as Miramax’s “Pulp Fiction,” Paramount’s “Nobody’s Fool” and Castle Rock’s “North.” Willis obviously doesn’t do the small work for the money. In fact, estimates are that since Willis footed the bill for a lavish celebration dinner at the Hotel du Cap when “Pulp” won the Palme d’Or, he probably lost $100,000 doing the film.

But Miramax topper Harvey Weinstein hopes that he can at least get some acclaim – namely serious consideration for best supporting actor for his role as boxer Butch Coolidge.

“Bruce is the most self-effacing, generous actor I’ve ever worked with,” said Weinstein. “He’s made huge financial sacrifices to work for us and other films he considers important, and he always promotes the movies, never himself.

“He uses his movie stardom well, and works for no money when he knows his support means people can sell foreign rights and get greenlights. He’ll do a small role just so you can get the movie made,” said Weinstein, who’s also got Willis for a cameo in “Four Rooms” and the Alan Rudolph-directed feature “Bandits,” from Elmore Leonard’s bestselling novel.